Admissions Policies

Application Procedures

Applications are considered for either the fall or spring semester. Castleton's policy of "rolling admissions" means that we process applications throughout the year until we determine that we have filled the class for each semester. We reserve the right to close admission once the class is filled. Castleton accepts applicants for admission who are best-suited in terms of character, ability and motivation to successfully meet the academic and social responsibilities of the university experience.

Qualified students are admitted without discrimination on the basis of race, color, creed, ancestry, ethnicity, national origin, place of birth, sex, sexual orientation, gender identity, disability, age, veteran status, marital status or any other status protected by law.

To be considered for admission it is required that a student successfully complete a college preparatory curriculum including:

4 years of English
3 years of Mathematics
2-3 years of Laboratory Science
3-4 years of Social Studies
2 years of Foreign Language (recommended but not required)

The University reserves the right to rescind an offer of admission based on changed circumstances or new information that comes to light such as a criminal conviction or act of misconduct (before admission, after admission but before enrollment or during any period of registration/orientation), falsification or misrepresentation during the application process or significantly substandard academic performance in the term or semester prior to enrollment.

New Student Application Procedures

New students are those who have never attended a college or university. To be eligible to apply for admission to Castleton, a candidate must graduate from an accredited high school or possess a High School Equivalency Diploma. To be considered for admission, a candidate must submit a formal application along with the following:

1. An official high school transcript showing grades from the first quarter marking period of the senior year, or documentation of a High School Equivalency Diploma (GED).
2. SAT (Scholastic Aptitude Test) or ACT (American College Test) scores. Castleton strongly recommends the submission of your test scores if you have them available. If you prefer not to submit scores or if you were not able to take your tests due to COVID-19, the admissions committee can waive the requirement.
3. A $40 non-refundable application fee.
4. A written essay of at least 250 words.
5. One letter of recommendation.

Applicants must request that a final official high school transcript showing date of graduation be sent to the Admissions Office to complete their file. Failure to submit proof of graduation may result in the withdrawal of the offer of admission.

Non-Traditional/Adult Student Application Procedures

Castleton encourages the applications of non-traditional students. As defined by the university, non-traditional students are generally defined as older students who want to pursue their university education while continuing to work, while raising a family, or after many years away from formal education.

For purposes of admissions, applicants who have never attended any college or university and have been away from formal education for some time may be considered as non-traditional/ adult candidates. Such candidates must submit a formal application and the following materials:

1. An official high school transcript, or official scores from a high school equivalency exam (GED).
2. A $40 non-refundable application fee.
3. A written essay of at least 250 words.
4. One letter of recommendation from an employer or person who is familiar with the applicant's motivation and work habits.

Transfer Student Application Procedures

Transfer students are those candidates who have attended any college or university (excluding dual enrollment in high school) prior to applying for admission to Castleton (regardless of whether they completed a semester or not). To be considered for transfer admission to Castleton, a candidate must submit a formal application along with the following:

1. An official transcript from all previously attended colleges and universities (even from institutions at which no credits were earned).
2. An official high school transcript is required for those applicants who have earned 18 or fewer credit hours of college work.
3. SAT (Scholastic Aptitude Test) or ACT (American College Test) scores are recommended for candidates who have earned 18 or fewer credit hours of college work. Candidates who have been out of high school for more than three years may be exempt from submitting test scores. Castleton strongly recommends the submission of your test scores if you have earned 18 or fewer credits and you have them available. If you prefer not to submit scores or if you were not able to take your tests due to COVID-19, the admissions committee can waive the requirement.
4. A $40 non-refundable application fee. (Students who have previously attended another Vermont State College are exempt from paying this fee.)
5. A written essay of at least 250 words.
6. One letter of recommendation.

Transfer students can be considered for admission in either the fall or spring semesters.

Accelerated Programs/Early College

By special arrangement with the Vermont Department of Education and the local school district, Castleton will consider admitting as first-year students, Vermont students who have completed the eleventh grade. Details concerning admission requirements for the Accelerated Program can be obtained by consulting the secondary school guidance counselor. Qualified out-of-state applicants who display exceptional ability and maturity will be considered for admission to Castleton upon completion of the third year of a secondary school program. Early admission applicants must have the consent and cooperation of secondary school officials, and they are required to appear for a personal interview.

Advanced Placement

Many high schools offer their students the opportunity to take college-level courses, typically in the senior year. Two national testing programs (Advanced Placement/AP and College-Level Examination Program/CLEP) have been instituted to ascertain whether college-level learning has taken place in such courses. Each academic department at Castleton determines the scores on these two tests, which will justify the award of credit by our registrar. Castleton will consider, for advanced placement and credit, those entering first-year students who qualify through the CEEB Advanced Placement Examination. A grade of three (3) or higher must be achieved, but final recommendation for credit rests with the department chair concerned. Some Canadian students may be able to transfer Ontario Academic Credit (OAC) from their provincial examinations.

Assessment of Prior Learning

Understanding that university-level skills and competencies may be achieved through direct experience on the job and in a variety of non-traditional settings, the Assessment of Prior Learning program provides a mechanism for the evaluation of such knowledge and the award of credit through the Vermont State Colleges. Further information is available in Vermont State College Office of External Programs' publications which may be obtained at the Office of Admissions or by contacting a branch of the Community College of Vermont.

College-Level Examination Program (CLEP)

Castleton considers for credit the scores received on the College Level Examination Program (CLEP). Six credits may be given for each area of the General Examination on which a student scores satisfactorily. Three credits may be given for subject examinations on which a satisfactory score is achieved. Information regarding which academic department will approve subject examinations and satisfactory score levels may be obtained from the Transfer Evaluator located in the Registrar's Office.

Conditional Admission

This status is given to students who demonstrate marginally adequate preparation for university work but who, with a concerted effort, may be successful at Castleton.

Conditionally admitted students, other than those transferring thirty or more credits to Castleton, will be required to take the math and writing assessments and, as appropriate, may be required to take the Academic Skills Course.

Deferred Admission

A newly admitted student who has not attended classes and who has not resided on campus for any part of the regular semester may request a deferral of his/her admission to the following semester or to the following year. A request for deferral must be made prior to the start of the semester for which the student was originally admitted. No requests for deferral will be considered 30 days after the start of the semester. The deferral will be given at the discretion of the director of admissions. If a deferral is granted, the non-refundable deposit, less charges incurred, will also be deferred. Under the agreement of the deferral, the student may not attend any other college or university during the deferment period.

After a newly admitted student has attended classes or has resided on campus, he/she may apply for a leave of absence from an academic dean. All rules with regard to refunds and leaves are in effect.

Deposits

To confirm an intended matriculation to the university, the accepted student is required to submit a non-refundable deposit of $200 to the Admissions Office prior to May 1 for fall (December 1 for spring). After these dates, deposits will be accepted on a space-available basis. Deposits should be submitted as soon as the decision to attend Castleton has been made.

Dual Enrollment Program

Castleton University welcomes academically talented and self-motivated high school juniors and seniors who wish to take university courses during their final two years before graduation. To be accepted to the program the student must meet the following requirements:

1. Be a junior or senior enrolled full-time in a Vermont high school or in one of the high schools of eastern New York used by the university for student teaching placements. The program is also open to Vermont youth aged 16 and over who are enrolled in certified home school programs.

2. Submit a completed program application along with a letter of recommendation from a high school guidance counselor. Home-schooled students must provide two letters of recommendation, from other than family members, that can attest to the student's preparedness for university-level work. All letters must confirm that the student has the prerequisite knowledge, skills, and personal traits to assure success in course work at Castleton.

3. Schedule an interview with a member of the Admissions staff at Castleton University.

A decision regarding acceptance into the program will be made by the university Admissions staff based on the documentation provided by the student and the personal interview. All students deemed to have appropriate abilities and attributes will be accepted into the program. The Admissions staff will advise the student regarding course selection and will ultimately authorize the student's registration for courses.

The required documentation and request for an interview should be sent to the Admissions Office, Castleton University, Castleton, VT 05735. For information please call Admissions at 802-468-1213.

Typically, students in this program will be permitted to register only for lower division (1000- and 2000-level) courses. Especially well qualified students may be permitted to enroll in upper level courses, but requests to do so are clearly exceptional, require the instructor's approval, and will be handled on a case-by-case basis by an Academic Dean. Registration is permitted on a space-available basis only.

A student may take no more than two courses per semester at the published rate. A student may take a maximum of eight courses in this program. Vermont high school students may be eligible for a voucher to take one free course in their junior year and then again in their senior year.

Students accepted to the program will pay a reduced rate per three-credit course (as published on our website here) plus any laboratory or studio fees. A student's continuing eligibility to participate in the program will be based in part on a review of past performance. Should the student have academic or personal difficulties that result in poor performance or otherwise negatively affect the academic environment of the university, acceptance into the program will be rescinded.

University credit will be awarded based on successful completion of the course(s). Program participants may not "audit" courses.

International Baccalaureate

Castleton welcomes students who have completed International Baccalaureate exams. Credit will be awarded on a course-by-course basis for higher-level exams completed with a score of 5 or higher, with a maximum possible award of 24 credits.

International Students

We welcome international students to Castleton. 

Before we can process an application for admission, we must have assurance that international students meet Castleton's academic and financial requirements.  An international application is considered complete when the following have been submitted:

1. Application for Admissions
2. Financial statement demonstrating the ability to finance the total cost of attendance
3. Admission test scores such as TOEFL, IELTS, and/or SAT/ACT
4. Personal statement
5. Recommendation letter
6. Official transcripts
7. A copy of passport ID page
8. An application fee

Scholarships

Incoming international students may find information about 2020-2021 scholarships here.

New England Commission of Higher Education (NECHE)

Castleton University supports the efforts of secondary school officials and governing bodies to have their schools achieve regional accredited status to provide reliable assurance of the quality of the educational preparation of their applicants for admission.

New England Regional Student Program

Under the New England Board of Higher Education (NEBHE) agreement, a limited number of students from other New England states may enroll in certain programs at Castleton, as the complement to the Castleton program is not available in those students' home states. Students pay a special tuition rate of 150% of the current in-state tuition.

Interested applicants are encouraged to submit their admissions materials early in the senior year and are required to identify themselves clearly, on their application forms, as persons applying under the NEBHE Program.

To qualify for the 150% tuition rate under the NEBHE agreement, the student must demonstrate eligibility and specify the program prior to admission.

After having been officially notified of acceptance by the University, a student under the NEBHE agreement may thereafter change programs without losing initial status, provided the program is authorized under the NEBHE agreement and provided the college approves the change.

As participants in the NEBHE Program, students must indicate through their course registration each semester, that they are pursuing their initial program. If a change of major to another program covered by the NEBHE agreement for the student's state is planned, coverage will be continued and the tuition charge of 150% of in-state tuition will still be effective. Students who change their majors to those not covered by the NEBHE agreement for their states will be required to pay the out-of-state tuition rate.

Current New England Regional Student Program information can be found here.

Non-Degree Seeking Students

Persons with adequate preparation for university-level work may be permitted to attend Castleton as Non-Degree Seeking (aka "Non-Matriculated") Students. The Registration Policy for Non-Matriculated Students is available at Financial & Registration Services or from the University Registrar.

Readmission to Castleton

Students applying for readmission to Castleton are required to submit a new application form and all credentials requested to complete the admission folder. The decision to readmit will normally be made by the director of admissions in consultation with an academic dean and the dean of students. Candidates for readmission may be required to complete additional course work before being evaluated.

Transfer Policies for Newly Admitted Students

New Student Seminars

Transfer students with fewer than 12 credits are required to take a First-Year Seminar in their first semester and those with 12 or more credits are strongly encouraged to take a Transfer Seminar.

Students transferring from outside the Vermont State College system

• Evaluation of Transfer Credit

Official transcripts of all previous college courses must be submitted in order to evaluate transfer credits. Credit may be transferred for courses completed at institutions accredited by a regional accrediting association or by an accrediting agency recognized by both the U.S. Department of Education and the Council for Higher Education Accreditation where the earned grade was "C-"or higher. Exceptions might occur if a student receives a grade below a "C-" and subsequently receives a higher grade for a more advanced course at the institution from which she/he transfers; depending on program requirements both courses could be accepted. Transfer credit is not allowed for work completed with a grade of "P" or its equivalent unless a grade of "C-" or better can be provided or unless a more advanced course in a sequence of interrelated courses has been passed with a "C-" or better in the institution from which the student transfers.

The Preliminary Transfer Evaluation is completed by the Registrar's Office and mailed to the student once the student has been accepted for admission. Students may be required during their first semester of attendance at Castleton to provide additional documentation to Academic Departments for courses counting towards the students major.

Courses for which transfer credit is granted cannot be repeated for credit. A student who changes majors may find that additional courses, not originally accredited, may count toward the new degree program.

• Students transferring with an Associate's degree

Students graduating with an Associate's degree from an institution accredited by a regional accrediting association or by an accrediting agency recognized by both the U.S. Department of Education and the Council for Higher Education Accreditation with a minimum GPA of 2.00 on a 4.00 scale, will be granted, if admitted, transfer of credit for all academic work applicable to the admitted program up to 60 credits. These students will be exempt from First-Year Seminar and Soundings I (INT 1051).

• Students transferring with a Bachelor's degree

Students who enter Castleton with a previously earned Bachelor's degree from an institution accredited by a regional accrediting association or by an accrediting agency recognized by both the U.S. Department of Education and the Council for Higher Education Accreditation will be exempt from the University Writing Standard, First-Year Seminar, Information Literacy Standard, Oral Communication Standard, Quantitative Reasoning Standard, and Soundings (INT 1051, INT 1053, and INT 3054). Every attempt will be made to transfer in General Education requirements in appropriate categories. Please see Earning Additional Degrees  for other policies regarding studens pursuing a second degree.

Students transferring from a Vermont State College

All courses taken within the Vermont State Colleges since summer 2002 are part of the VSC transcript and are not considered transfer credit; this coursework will automatically be listed on the Castleton transcript. All VSC courses since summer 2002 count in the determination of quality points and in the determination of the cumulative GPA. Students may see how their VSC credits are counting towards their Castleton degree program by running a program evaluation in Web Services.

VSC transfer students with 12 or more completed credits will be exempt from First-Year Seminar (students who completed these college credits while still in high school may still be encouraged to take a First-Year Seminar.) 

Students with 60 or more completed credits prior to matriculating at Castleton will be exempt from INT 1051 Soundings I, and will receive credits for completed General Education courses in comparable Frames of Reference categories.   

Any VSC graduation standard (College Writing, Information Literacy, Oral Communication, or Quantitative Reasoning) previously met at another VSC institution will count at a similar level (Associate's or Bachelor's) at Castleton.

(The three exemptions listed above may require a manual override from the Registrar's Office.)

• Students with an Associate's degree from a Vermont State College

Students with a previous Associate's degree from a Vermont State College are exempt from or will receive credit for all General Education requirements at the Associate's level at Castleton including: the University Writing Standard, Computing Requirement, First-Year Seminar, Information Literacy Standard, Oral Communication Standard, Quantitative Reasoning Standard, Soundings I (INT 1051), and the Frames of Reference. 

Students pursuing a Bachelor's degree at Castleton University will need to complete additional Soundings courses (INT 1053 and INT 3054), the Literature Requirement (ENG 2260), an additional Writing Intensive course, and additional Frames of Reference courses. 

• Students with a Bachelor's degree from a Vermont State College

Students with a previous Bachelor's degree from a Vermont State College are exempt from or will receive credit for all General Education requirements (the University Writing Standard, Computing Requirement, First-Year Seminar, Information Literacy Standard, Literature Requirement (ENG 2260), Oral Communication Standard, Quantitative Reasoning Standard, Soundings (INT 1051, INT 1053, INT 3054), and the Frames of Reference.

Veterans Benefits and Transition Act

Pursuant to Section 103 of the Veterans Benefits and Transition Act of 2018, beginning August 1, 2019, for any student using Ch. 33 Post 9/11 GI Bill or Ch. 31 Voc Rehab benefits, even if the VA has not yet paid tuition and fees, Castleton will not:

• prevent enrolling,
• assess a late penalty fee,
• require securing alternative or additional funding, or
• deny access to any school resources (access to classes, libraries, or other institutional facilities) that are available to other students that have paid.

However, Castleton will require that such students:

• produce the VA's Certificate of Eligibility by the first day of class or VAF 28-1905 form for chapter 31 authorization purposes,
• provide any additional information needed to properly certify.

Veteran Credit

A veteran may be allowed credit for courses or service schools as recommended by the American Council on Education. Active duty service personnel are advised to see their Education Officer about taking College Level Examination Program (CLEP) examinations.